VA denies benefits to 102-year-old widow of World War II veteran

A 102-year-old widow of a World War II veteran cannot eat or get dressed without help, but the Veterans Administration is still refusing to grant her benefits.

Now, her family is fighting back.

Dozens of Pittsburgh-area veterans are dying while waiting for the VA to approve their benefits.

Even the owner of the care home where 102-year-old Edith Reid lives was shocked when he saw the VA did not think she deserved help.

Reid may be 102-years-old, but when asked about how the VA has treated her, she does not mince words. "I think they're rotten, absolutely rotten," Reid said.

Her husband served in the Navy during World War II. For the past two years, her daughter has been trying to get VA benefits to help cover the $2,700-per-month cost to stay at the Palms at O'Neil care home in White Oak.

“She's 102. She needs assistance in everything she does, dressing, the little things, her hair,” said daughter Carolyn Grimm.

Investigative reporter Paul Van Osdol asked Reid if she could get by on her own.

“Well no, I could not, no way. I'd be lucky if I lived overnight,” Reid said.

But in a letter denying the claim, the VA said they called the Palms and "the administrator told us that they do not provide you with medical care or assistance with your activities of daily living."

"I question that that ever happened,” said Palms CEO Craig Anlauf.

He asked his staff whether they ever talked to the VA about Reid.

“Typically a phone call like that would go to the facility administrator and/or a supervisor that handles the nursing department. None of them received such a call,” Anlauf said.

In the past three years, seven residents of the Palms have died while waiting for their VA benefits, leaving families with thousands of dollars in debts. Residents have waited up to three years for the VA to approve benefits.

"I think it's a slap in the face to the veterans," Anlauf said.

"I think I was let down," Reid said.

The VA, citing privacy laws, said it could not comment on Reid's case.

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